GB2424476A

GB2424476A - A food regeneration trolley and workstation

Info

Publication number: GB2424476A
Application number: GB0505853A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Angelo Speranza
Original assignee: Burlodge Ltd
Current assignee: Burlodge Ltd
Priority date: 2005-03-22
Filing date: 2005-03-22
Publication date: 2006-09-27
Also published as: GB0505853D0

Abstract

A food regeneration system has an air circulation path between a modular static work station 11 and a trolley 20 through apertures A1,A2,A3,A4 in a head panel 22 of the trolley when the trolley is in a working space W. The trolley has a hot side flow heated by a heater (H, fig 2) and a cool side flow cooled by cooler (R, fig 2) separated by divider X, and heat exchange blocks 26,27 for storing heat/cold. Doors D1, D2 of the trolley open to either side in the work station 11, which has U-shaped side walls 15,16. A predetermined regeneration cycle program may be stored in a control means (C, fig 2) in a head unit 12, and shutters of the apertures may open automatically, initiated by engaging the trolley with the workstation. The trolley may have internal pipe work for cleaning water/detergent which automatically connects to a wash and dry station. In an embodiment the head unit 12 may be raised or lowered to match trolleys of different heights.

Description

REGENERATION UNIT

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a regeneration unit. Such units are widely used in catering processes where food is prepared for consumption in a first location from which the prepared food is despatched to a second location at which the food is regenerated.

Typically this can involve the food being brought to a predetermined temperature (at or higher or lower than ambient temperature) at a predetermined time, to enable it to be consumed whilst in an optimised condition.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided a regeneration unit in the form of an operable combination comprising a modular work station and a trolley: the work station being a static unit comprising a base unit, a top unit and a wall section by means of which the base unit supports, and is spaced from, the top unit so as to leave a working space beneath the top unit into which the trolley cab be located in a working configuration of the combination so as to provide for pre-determined interaction between the top unit and the trolley; the trolley being a mobile unit comprising a base panel, a head panel and two side panels by means of which side panels the base panel supports, and is spaced from, the head panel to define a storage volume bounded on two sides by the side panels, above by the head panel and below by the base panel; the side panels being adapted to support a plurality of food supporting means within the storage volume; at least two apertures provided in the head panel whereby with the trolley in the working combination with the work station at least one air circulation path can be established from the work station into and around at least one region of the storage volume and then back into the work station; the work station including means for providing for the addition of heat to, or removal of heat from, the air circulation path; and * * S S S * S S S S S S S * S S 555 555 *SS S S S5 S S S S S 5 * S S * S S S * * S 5*S * * S S [2] control means whereby the temperature of food in the storage volume, or a predetermined part thereof, can be regulated to provide for a heating profile to be established according to a predetermined timetable.

According to a first preferred version of the present invention the head panel is provided with a further two apertures whereby with the trolley in the working combination with the work station at least a further air circulation path cart be established from the work station into and around at least one region of the storage volume and then back into the work station; the work station including means for providing for the addition of heat to, or removal of heat from, the further air circulation path.

According to a second preferred version of the present invention or of the first preferred version thereof the trolley incorporates heat exchange means providing for temperature maintenance within the storage volume when the trolley is not in a working combination with the work station which heat exchange means is adapted for re-charging when the trolley is restored into a working combination with the work station.

According to a third preferred version of the present invention or of any preceding preferred versions thereof at least one aperture on the trolley is provided is provided with a shutter whereby the aperture can be closed or opened at least with the trolley in working configuration with the work station.

According to a fourth third preferred version of the present invention or of any preceding preferred versions thereof the storage volume on the trolley has four sides, two of the sides being defined by the side panels as aforesaid and at least one further side defined by an. aperture which is closable by a door mounted on the trolley; and with the trolley in a working configuration with the work station the door is operable to provide access to the storage volume.

* * * * * * S S S S S S S * 5 0 555 555 SS0 S S 5 5 5 5 S S S S S * * S S S S S SS* S S S S [3] According to a fifth preferred version of the present invention or of any preceding preferred versions thereof the trolley is provided with interior wash down means.

According to a sixth preferred version of the present invention or of any preceding preferred versions thereof the control and programming means functions to initiate a regeneration cycle automatically on insertion of the trolley into the work station to form the operable combination.

In the present case the term regeneration is used to cover not only a process where the temperature of a food stuff is raised to, maintained at, or lowered from a starting temperature so as to be in an optimised condition for consumption by a given time but also to a process in which a food stuff is maintained at a temperature whether for immediate consumption or not.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

An exemplary embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings of a work station/trolley combination of which: Figure 1 is a perspective view from above of a work station; Figure 2 is a view of an upper part of the work station of Figure 1 with interior exposed; Figure 3 is a perspective view from above of a trolley; and Figure 4 shows an upper part of the trolley of Figure 3 in more detail.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Work Station (Figures 1 and 2) Work station 11 is a static unit comprising a top unit 12 (covered by top panel 13), a back panel 14 and U- shaped side wall members 15, 16 by means of which the top unit 12 is located above a working space W into which working space a trolley 20 (described hereafter in connection with Figure 3 and 4) can be located to form a working combination with the work station as will be hereinafter described to provide for regeneration of food contafi ed the trolley 20. [4]

The top unit 12 is shown in Figure 2 with top panel 13 removed to show: compartments 17, 18 separated by a divider 19.

In compartment 18 fans Fl, F2 serve to circulating air on a path extending through top unit 12 and the trolley 20 as will be outlined hereafter and a cooler R serves to provide for heat exchange with air circulated by means of fans Fl, F2 In compartment 17 fans F3, F4 serve to circulate air on a path extending through top unit 12 and trolley as will be outlined hereafter and a heater H serves to provide for heat exchange with air circulated by means of fans F3, F4.

Divider 19 has mounted on it a control means C, including a data processor; The back panel 14 has mounted on it a charging unit 17 for use in conjunction with components on the trolley 20.

Power is provides for the various services of the top unit 12 from a mains supply.

Trolley (Figures 3 and 4) Trolley 20 is a mobile unit including a base panel 21 with castors 21A, a head panel 22 and two side panels 23,24. The side panels 23, 24, the base panel 21 and the head panel 22 serve to enclose four side of a six sided interior storage volume V. The remaining two side apertures Si, S2 are shown open in Figure 3 but can be closed by doors (Dl, D2) to provide for total enclosure of the storage volume V. On the underside of the head panel 22 there are provided blocks 26, 27 which provide an un-powered heat store for functioning in the trolley when the trolley is not connected to a mains powered work station, such as work station 11, or a comparable station such as in a distribution centre where the trolley is stocked with a fresh supply of food stocked trays.

In this case block 26 is one for storing heat (that is to say for providing a temperature above ambient) for heat exchange with a passing air stream. The block 26 is recharged with heat for as long as the trolley 20 is in combination with its work [5] station 11 and a hot flow of air is circulating between the head unit 12 and the trolley by way of apertures Al, A2.

Block 27 is one for cooling (that is to say for providing a temperature below ambient) for heat exchange with a passing air stream. The block 27is recharged for as long as the trolley 20 is in combination with its work station 11 and a cold flow of air is circulated between the head unit 12 and the trolley 20 by way of apertures A3, A4.

Side panel 23 (side panel 24 corresponds) has an inner face 23A incorporating horizontal runners H pitched a regular vertical distance apart to enable each runner (in co-operation with a corresponding runner on inner side of side panel 24) to support up to two trays bearing food portions for regeneration. The depth D of the storage volume V in the direction of the arrow E corresponds to the width of slightly more than one tray. The width B of the storage volume V perpendicular to the direction of arrow Eso at a given horizontal level in the storage volume V two rectangular trays can be accommodated long side to long side.

For regenerative use the trolley 2Ois housed in the working space W in work unit 11 by pushing the trolley 20 in the direction of arrow E with side panel 23 leading. The trolley 20 is provided with stop means so that it resists any attempt to enter it into the working space W the wrong way round (that is to say with side panel 24 leadingO.

When fully housed in the working space W side apertures Si, S2 of the trolley 20 open to either side of the work unit 11 and so provide for ready access to the storage volume V either directly or on opening the appropriate door Di, D2 provided, respectively, for the aperture Si, S2.

In use this embodiment provides for each tray to bear individual portions of food for a consumer in a hospital. A dividing means, typically divider X, is provided in the trolley structure for each tray so that an inserted tray is divided into two separated regions, left hand and right hand (as viewed in Figure 3).

* S * * S * S S S S * S * * * * **S S.. **S * S S* S S * S S S * * S S * S S 5 * S *.* * S a * [6] The left hand side region (LH) of the storage volume (and so of the left hand region of trays located in the storage volume V) is preloaded with food stuff needing to be heated.

The right hand side region (RH) of the storage volume V (and so of the right hand region of trays located in the storage volume V) is preloaded with food stuff needing to be cooled.

Effectively the trolley of the present invention when filled and during transport is isolated from ambient conditions insofar as side doors enclose ways of access to the trays and shutters close the apertures by means of which air flows are directed through the trolley. Blocks with the trolley serve to maintain the required temperature region/s of the trays. Finally the outside members of the trolley serve to insulate the contents of the trolley from changes in ambient temperature. In view of these provisions the trolley can maintain an optimal environment for its contents for an extended period.

Hot Side The side panel 23 has a hollow interior which is fed heated air from compartment 17 in head unit 12 by way of inlet aperture Al in head panel 22. This air is displaced by means of fan F3, F4 so as to provide a heated air stream from the head unit 12 which passes after heat exchange with heater H down through apertures Al through side panel 23, through output slots, output slot 28 being typical, into the left hand region of each tray to heat food items in that region of the tray. The air stream then passes upwardly to pass out of the trolley 20 into the head unit 12 by way of aperture A2 for further heat exchange with heater H before starting a further heating cycle through the trolley. The operating temperature and air flow rate are governed in accordance with a predetermined program regulated by control means C in the head unit 12.

Cool side The side panel 24 mirrors the form and function of side panel 23. Side panel 14 has a hollow interior which is fed cooled air from compartment 18 in head unit 12 by way of inlet aperture A3 ft head panel 22. This cooled air is displaced by [7] means of fans Fl, F2 so as to provide a cooling air stream from the head unit 12 which passes after heat exchange with cooler R down through apertures A3, through side panel 24, through output slots (not shown) 25 into the right hand region of each tray to cool food items in that region of the tray. The air stream then passes upwardly passing out of the trolley 20 back into the head unit 12 by way of aperture A4 into head unit 12 for further heat exchange with heater H before starting a further cooling cycle. The operating temperature and air flow rate are governed in accordance with a predetermined program stored in control means C in the head unit 12.

The apertures Al to A4 are each equipped with a shutter serving to normally close automatically to isolate the interior of the trolley 20 on the removal of the trolley 20 from combination with work station 11. The shutters are designed to normally open automatically when the trolley 20 is fully housed in working space W of the work station 11. In Figure 3 the apertures A2, A4 are shown with their shutters closed. In Figure 4 these apertures A3, A4 are shown with their shutters withdrawn.

This exemplary embodiment provides for a cold air stream side and for a hot air stream side. However any desired configuration of air flows is readily provided by simply re-programming the operating cycle and providing for the appropriate heater or cooler unit to be installed in compartments 17, 18. Thus alternative configurations could be provided providing for two heated flows, two refrigerated flows or the use of only a single flow, whether heated or refrigerated. The embodiment can also provide for circulation of an air flow at ambient temperature if required.

The present embodiment provides for the regeneration of food provided on trays for which a rack system is provided. However alternative rack systems could be provided for storing larger scale items, for example, food in a bulk form as blocks or tubs or sizable individually chilled items.

The trolley 20 in this case is able to have an internal wash undertaken with internal pipe work through which water or water and detergent form an external supply can [8] be driven for cleaning the interior of the trolley following a delivery round trip.

Preferably the trolley is inserted into a wash work station similar in overall configuration to the work station but adopted on insertion of the trolley for automatic and demountable connection to the internal trolley pipe work. Following connection the wash work station directs water and detergent into the pipe work to undertake a pre-determirieci washing and rinsing cycle. This cycle is followed by a warm air drying cycle in which air is heated by way of an heater mounted in the work wash station is blown through the interior of the trolley by way of the apertures in the top of the trolley..

For use the trolley 20 is filled at a central location with trays bearing chilled food stuffs.

The doors Dl, D2 or side apertures Si, S2 are closed. Apertures Al to A4 are already closed by means of their respective shutters. In this way the filled storage volume V of the trolley 20 is wholly isolated from ambient conditions. . The trolley 20 is then transported by vehicle with the storage volume V being maintained in a chilled condition to a destination site. The transported distance can be short (with the trolley being wheeled by hand over a distance measured in meters) or long involving transport by vehicle over many kiometres. At the destination site the loaded trolley 20 is then mated with work station 11 and the shutters for apertures Al to A4 opened.

Once the trolley 20 is combined with its work station lithe appropriate regeneration cycle is then initiated automatically by means of control system C. It is envisaged that the control system C will have been programmed at the central location so that no further action is required at the destination apart from engaging the trolley 20 with its Once the regeneration cycle has been completed and food is to be served the doors Di, D2 up to that point closing apertures Di, D2 are opened and the trays withdrawn for distribution. On completion the trays are recovered and stored in the trolley 20 typically for return to the central location for cleaning and re-use.

* * S S S * S S S S * S * * S S SSS.55 **. S * ** * . S S I I I S S S S * S S I.. I 5 S S [9] The exemplary embodiment makes use of trolley 20 of given size. However in a alternative version a head i.mit comparable with unit 12 can be provided mounted on side frames so that the head unit can be raised or lowered to vary the height of the work space (comparable with space W). In this way the work station can be used with trolleys of different heights. The air stream apertures linking the head unit and the trolley being essentially vertical in their relationship they are readily matched regardless of trolley height.

Industrial Applicability

The invention provides for a regeneration combination of work station and trolley providing a user friendly regeneration process using a trolley which is readily loaded and then effectively kept isolated until inserted into a work station for a regeneration cycle. Thereafter the prepared food is readily removed from the trolley for distribution.

* * S * * * S * I I I I * * * I IS* **q I.. S * I. I I I * * I I I * * S I S I S S 5.5 I I I [10]

Claims

An operable regeneration unit combination comprising a modular work station and a trolley: the work station being a static unit comprising a base unit, a top unit and a wall section by means of which the base unit supports, and is spaced from, the top unit so as to leave a working space beneath the top unit into which the trolley cab be located in a working configuration of the combination so as to provide for pre-determined interaction between the top unit and the trolley; the trolley being a mobile unit comprising a base panel, a head panel and two side panels by means of which side panels the base panel supports, and is spaced from, the head panel to define a storage volume bounded on two sides by the side panels, above by the head panel and below by the base panel; the side panels being adapted to support a plurality of food supporting means within the storage volume; at least two apertures provided in the head panel whereby with the trolley in the working combination with the work station at least one air circulation path can be established from the work station into and around at least one region of the storage volume and then back into the work station; the work station including means for providing for the addition of heat to, or removal of heat from, the air circulation path; and control means whereby the temperature of food in the storage volume, or a predetermined part thereof, can be regulated to provide for a heating profile to be established according to a predetermined timetable.
2 An operable regeneration unit as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the head panel is provided with a further two apertures whereby with the trolley in the working combination with the work station at least a further air circulation path can be established from the work station into and around at least one region of the storage volume and then back into the work station; the work station including means for providing for the addition of heat to, or removal of heat from, the further air circulation path. [11]
3 An operable regeneration unit as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the trolley incorporates heat exchange means providing for temperature maintenance within the storage volume when the trolley is not in a working combination with the work station which heat exchange means is adapted for re-charging when the trolley is restored into a working combination with the
4 An operable regeneration unit combination as claimed in any preceding claim wherein at least one aperture on the trolley is provided is provided with a shutter whereby the aperture can be closed or opened at least with the trolley in working configuration with the work station.
An operable regeneration unit combination as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the storage volume on the trolley has four sides, two of the sides being defined by the side panels as aforesaid and at least one further side defined by an aperture which is closable by a door mounted on the trolley; and with the trolley in a working configuration with the work station the door is operable to provide access to the storage volume.
6 An operable regeneration unit combination as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the trolley is provided with interior wash down means for demountable connection with an external source of wash down liquid by means of which the interior of the trolley can be subjected to a washing cycle.
7 An operable regeneration unit combination as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
8 An operable regeneration unit combination according to any preceding claim wherein the control means functions to initiate a regeneration cycle automatically on insertion of the trolley into the work station to form the operable combination.

* S S S S S S S * S S 555 555 5*S I * ** S S S S S S S S * S S * S * * S *S. * S S *